WASHINGTON (September 19, 2012) – The District of Columbia Small Business Development Center (DC SBDC), which is headquartered at Howard University’s School of Business, has recently been accredited by the Association of Small Business Development Centers, the national accreditation agency.

Through a partnership between Howard University and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the DC SBDC educates small business owners and potential owners on how to successfully start, operate, expand, buy and sell small businesses.

Ronald Walker, chairman of DC SBDC Advisory Board, said attaining national accreditation was essential to maintaining high-quality economic development services. Barron Harvey, Ph.D., dean of the Howard University School of Business, commended the center for the noteworthy accomplishment.

“Congratulations to DC SBDC network for their fine efforts to make this important accreditation possible and for their continued high quality work to assist District based small businesses,” said Harvey.

Last year, the DC SBDC served over 400 small businesses throughout the city; recent clients have received almost $4 million in capital formation.

The DC SBDC Network is an outreach program of Howard University, working in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), other District of Columbia universities, and community organizations, to provide free management and technical assistance and affordable training in all phases of business development to District of Columbia-based small businesses

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, two Truman Scholars, a Marshall Scholar, 30 Fulbright Scholars and 11 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, call 202-238-2330, or visit the University's Web site at www.howard.edu.